Childminder in Essex

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision requires improvement

Babies and young children are happy in the childminder's care. They have developed a warm relationship with the childminder and cling to her for reassurance when visitors are present. This demonstrates that they feel safe and secure with the childminder. Young children are eager to express themselves and the childminder talks to them constantly. This helps to develop their vocabulary and communication skills.

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The provision requires improvement

Babies and young children enjoy the activities and resources provided by the childminder, as she sits with them and explains their purpose. Babies are eager to pull themselves up to standing and try out their new walking skills. However, the organisation of the play space does not allow for freedom of movement. The limited space means that babies' movements are restricted because the childminder holds them and supervises them closely.

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The provision requires improvement

Babies and young children listen to the childminder as she talks to them about the colours of the toys. She presents them with various toys of the same colour to help children to begin to associate them with the colour name. The childminder monitors children's progress. She identifies children's next steps in learning and provides some activities to stimulate their interest.

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need to do better?

n The childminder gets to know the children in her care very well. She works closely with parents and discusses children's starting points when they first join her setting. The childminder carries out visits to children's homes to get to know them better, and she builds strong relationships with parents. n Babies and young children thoroughly enjoy riding on a rocker. They laugh joyfully and the childminder supports them as they rock back and forth. Babies pass toys to visitors and display growing confidence in their social skills. The childminder praises them and gives them encouragement. n The childminder understands the importance of providing healthy food for children. She praises parents' choices in the lunch bags they prepare and for chopping grapes into small pieces to keep children safe. The childminder supports young children to learn how to feed themselves independently. n Babies and young children enjoy looking at books. They enjoy turning the pages

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need to do better?

and pointing to the pictures. The childminder links the stories she reads to the current theme to support children's learning. However, books and other resources are not easily accessible to children, as there is limited space. This affects children's ability to explore and make independent choices. n Young children are eager and ready to learn. The childminder plans her curriculum based on children's starting points and next steps in learning.

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need to do better?

13 July 2023 However, the childminder's planning is not always effective because it is not flexible enough to meet children's needs. Children become frustrated and upset and the activities become disorganised. n The childminder provides lots of opportunities for children to experience outdoor activities and learn about the world around them. She takes them to parks, farms, museums, toddler groups and the local library. Children enjoy playing in the childminder's garden. They play in a sandpit, letting the sand run through their fingers, as the childminder shows them how to make patterns in the sand. n The childminder has undertaken a wealth of training courses that are available to providers online. This helps the childminder to keep her knowledge up to date and refreshes her practice. The childminder said that she reflects on her practice and the training helps her to identify the strengths and weaknesses of her

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a very strong knowledge and understanding of safeguarding. She knows when and where to report any concerns she may have about a child's safety and well-being. The childminder has a broad range of knowledge about safeguarding and child protection issues. She completes safeguarding training regularly. The childminder occasionally works with assistants who are family members and she monitors their practice and ensures they are trained in safeguarding and paediatric first aid. Children's safety is a priority for the childminder and she supervises them well.

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Due date

ensure the premises and resources are fit for purpose and meet the needs of the children, allowing them to make choices, explore and develop their confidence and independence. 25/08/2023

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should:

n improve the organisation of the curriculum to ensure that activities are planned effectively and build precisely on what children already know and can do.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY400918 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10295420 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 1 Date of previous inspection 13 December 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2009 and lives in Chelmsford, Essex. She operates Tuesday and Thursday, all year round, from 7am to 5.30pm, and other days by arrangement. The childminder occasionally works with her daughter and son as assistants.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the childminder. n The inspector looked around the areas of the setting available to children. n The childminder discussed her curriculum with the inspector and what she wants children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n Parents provided written testimonials which were taken into account during the inspection. n Relevant documentation was available for inspection, including suitability and training certificates.

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Inspection activities

13 July 2023 We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection activities

13 July 2023 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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